During a violent storm on 28 December 1879 a large section of the Tay Bridge collapsed whilst a train was crossing it. The train plunged into the water killing all seventy-five people who were believed to be travelling on it. Following extensive investigations it was revealed that a multitude of faults had resulted in the collapse of the bridge- it was deemed “badly designed, badly built and badly maintained”. The engineer who designed it, Thomas Bouch, was considered responsible and his professional reputation was destroyed. This photograph shows the extent of the damage to the central ‘High Girders’ section.